Blessed

Papa’s World – The good life.

/ Tom / 1 Comment

We have had numerous blessings –

Through our 43-plus years of being together.

When we were married – I converted to Lutheran from Catholic.

Sherry was raised in the Lutheran faith –

And asked me to convert –

I did and have never looked back.

This was and is the first blessing we shared together.

They are very similar but different.

I did not fully embrace the Catholic faith –

But I did and always have believed in a greater being.

Today, we belong to our third church –

all Lutheran and in three states.

This more than likely will be our last home church.

This will be our final resting spot as we have a spot –

in a Columbarium right out behind Saint Lukes Lutheran Church in Shallotte, N.C.

Just five miles from our home in Cameron Woods Community- OIB – N.C.

Close to where the survivor can visit.

We have traveled the World –

here we are on the North Shore of Oahu- Hawaii.

Travel by ourselves –

or with family and our friends – The McBrides –

has led us to the different continents and many memories.

Sharing our love for that with family – friends and each other.

Our senior years have brought us South –

Warmer temperatures – water – surf and sand.

We did not plan this as such –

But a door opened and we went through a window.

A window that we would spend our senior years living a good life.

All – because of a turndown in the economy –

A major loss in our retirement 401K –

but a huge increase in the value of our home-

And a chance Google search showed a condo in North Myrtle Beach –

brought us to NMB for nine months during the Pandemic.

A billboard with Cameron Woods Homes in OIB –

Led us to a sales office model –

And that day a woman had withdrawn her deposit –

on the lot we visited and decided –

this was it!

I consider this to be another blessing in our lives together.

Here is a picture of Sherry and I –

with our close friends Cindy and Buck –

Who came to The Villages to visit us while we were staying with my older brother Roger-

seated next to me.

Growing up – Roger who was ten years older than me –

Was an idol to me.

Everything I did was based on him who I adored.

He left for college when I was eight years old –

and seldom came back home again.

He was nominated and made WHO’S WHO in collegiate circles –

He was married after graduation –

and went into the Navy as an officer during the Vietnam War.

Over the years I only saw him rarely –

But kept in touch by letters.

It was only later in life –

just before his wife passed away and I was retired –

We began spending the Winters with him –

in The Villages in Florida.

He wanted us to move down with him –

but we had young grandchildren –

and our home in Brambleton, Va.-

was going to be our retirement home.

We were blessed that we spent the last 7 years of his life visiting him –

And he also came up to visit us.

To this day I look up to him –

and still consider him to be my idol.

Today we live our senior moments here in N.C.

Where seldom is snow or ice.

Most of the time it is warm –

blue skies and beautiful Sunrises and Sunsets.

We are ten and fifteen minutes from two beaches.

We volunteer for the Coastal Carolina Senior Center –

The Protection of Sea Turtles and the Brunswick County Food Pantry.

We love our church – we have close friends – three couples –

Five to Forty minutes drive from us.

And – the possibility of one more couple moving somewhere close by.

We now play golf as often as we can –

we are right in the middle of 30 gold courses.

We are close to entertainment either in Wilmington, N.C. –

or North Myrtle Beach – Myrtle Beach.

Shopping is also close by

This is now our home.

WE ARE BLESSED!

On the North Shore – loving life and blessed to be together,

Thanks for reading –

PAPA’S WORLD –

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HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

Papa’s World – After all those years – dreams – the good life!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Oh – okay – it is not that bad! LOL! But a little humor is needed in day-by-day life!

In raising our family – to us, vacation meant “BEACH” – Sun – Sand and Ocean!

I always said while at the beach – “I WANT TO RETIRE AND SELL HOTDOGS ON THE BEACH”!

Well – we retired – all be it in NVA – and that was going to be it – UNTIL ——

Our lifeline was slipping away after the 401K took a hit – over 30% DOWN.

The UPSIDE – the housing market took off – real estate was booming –

IT WAS TIME TO LIST AND SELL OUR DREAM RETIREMENT HOUSE –

and move out of the costly NVA-Loundon County area.

SO WE SOLD – moved in with family for four months –

And then loaded up and went South – to S.C.

To be exact – North Myrtle Beach – and started a search just where we wanted to settle down!

But – the big BUT – in our price range we could not find anything that did not require updating!

In giving – unexpected returns come back – by chance – we stumbled into a new development –

We have always shared what we have – volunteering our services –

Giving what we can – not expecting anything in return –

But – this opportunity came to us – a woman that day had asked for a return of her deposit –

on a lot eight miles from the border of N.C. and S.C. – in Cameron Woods Community –

Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.

As soon as Sherry walked into the model – she loved it – and as soon as we visited the lot –

We put a deposit on it – we had found our new home to be built –

And it was going to cost us less than if we were to buy one already built!

We now had that dream I had of beach living without the hotdogs – being close to two beaches –

and our other dream was to be able to golf – at reasonable prices!

We could purchase what is called FIRST TEE CARDS –

Which give reduce rates on over 50 courses –

a majority of them within 15 to 30 minutes of where we were to build!

This is our story on how we got here – call it luck – good fortune – I call it BLESSED!

Thanks for reading PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

PAPA’s WORLD – AFTER ALL THOSEYEARS – DREAMS – THE GOOD LIFE!

Papa’s World – Blessed with the good life in the South!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

In our journey of life together – we have lived in WNY – NVA – S.C. and now in N.C. –

on the border with S.C.

We have found our dream house – and our Cameron Woods Community –

We are 4 and 6 miles away from two beaches.

Eight miles to shopping in big box stores and three large grocery stores within four miles.

We can choose professional entertainment within twenty to forty minutes.

Within minutes we can dine on the ICW or the Ocean!

We have good neighbors – always waving or stopping to talk.

We can walk nearly six miles without leaving the neighborhood.

Soon all the construction on homes being built here will be done.

We have thirty golf courses to pick from within thirty minutes!

We believe in equal rights for everyone – we believe in law and order and a strong military.

We believe in the constitution and free government of the people and by the people.

We believe in peaceful protest and the election by the people –

We believe in God and church – we believe in family.

This is who we are.

PAPA’S WORLD – my site: livnglifedoingitmyway.blog

BLESSED WITH THE GOOD LIFE IN THE SOUTH – PAPA’S WORLD – thanks for reading!

Papa’s World – “WE HAVE FRIENDS IN ALL PLACES”

/ Tom / Leave a comment
Sherry Elaine Steve Papa

We watched their children grow up – we played league volleyball with them – we golfed with them –

we vacationed with them and they have visited us in our new home.

We have stayed in touch – we play cards and games –

WERE BESTIES!

Western New York –

Portville N.Y.

Steve and Elaine Starks – for the past 35 plus years.

Fred and Lynda

Before Sherry and I were married – Lynda and Fred were my friends – Fred and I graduated together –

our friendship started in Jr. High School all those years ago.

Today – it has been some 54 years and Lynda some 48 t0 50 years.

They now live in Melbourne Florida on the Indian River.

We met up the last time just before the Pandemic.

Little Palm Bay – Florida.

John and Nancy

We first met them at Community Lutheran Church in Sterling Va.

Sherry and Nancy were part of a group of ladies who called themselves THE HENS!

They would meet once a week for lunch and a movie.

John is an opera singer and leader in whatever church over the years they have attended.

They moved to Charleston S.C before we moved and we have stopped and spent time with them.

They have visited us when we were in the condo and we have gotten together a couple times

halfway between Charleston and Ocean Isle Beach. John and Nancy Standbridge White.

Point Pleasant, S.C.

Sherry Papa Cindy Buck

We were neighbors back in Pleasant Acres Drive in Portville N.Y.

We moved in next door to them in 1987.

We had known them before that.

We saw their family grow up as they also watched ours.

We would visit them in their home in Magnolia Greens – Leland – Wilmington N.C.

We always dreamed of moving South and they are one of the main reasons we did.

We play golf weekly or try to.

They would visit us in NVA – Karaoke – golf – a few drinks and tours of DC.

Now – almost 40 years and still great friends!

Wilmington N.C.

Jim and Claudia Martin

Claudia was part of the HENS lady group with Sherry – and we got to know Jim – who has developed Data centers ( the first) in Ireland.

Claudia is a beautiful singer and her and her sons would sing in the Irish pubs and inns.

Jim has been a top executive in many known companies and today is nearing retirement.

We plan on them to visit us in the future and look forward to it.

They have lost over 150 combined lbs. following Sherry’s shreds of sugar and eating healthy.

We had dinner with them over the Christmas Holiday.

Claudia and Jim Martin

From Reston Va.

Jason and Ginger

Ginger is another member of the Hens lady group and her hubby works from home.

We golfed together in NVA and visited each other – took excursions – and after we moved –

They sold their home in Reston Town center, Va.

They purchased a cottage in the far North of Maine –

and Ginger inherited a condo in Sarasota Florida.

Today they spend Summers in Maine and Winters in Sarasota.

We will go to Florida in February to spend a few days

They are in negotiations to build a home outside of Leland N.C. a short distance from Buck and Cindy.

We have already introduced them to each other and plan on future golf outings!

Jason and Ginger Priti Childs from Maine and Florida.

Mike and Carol

We moved in right beside them in 1988.

Pleasant acres drive in Portville N.Y.

Twelve and one-half years we were neighbors!

Many fun times – playing pranks on each other – parties – talking across the fence – they also were close friends to Buck and Cindy.

Racing power ride mowers up and down the street.

Today they are owners of a National Painting Company –

Called Mike John Painting.

We still get together – seeing them in the old neighborhood or visiting them at their second home on Lake Chautauqua in WNY.

We still laugh at all the old times – and are trying to get them to visit us here.

Maybe after all the Pandemic – time will tell.

Mike and Carol John – Portville N.Y.

Sherry Jo and Paul

Sherry and Paul graduated together from Smethport, Pa. H.S.

While Jo was a year behind me at Otto-Eldred H.S.

We did not know the connection until about ten years ago – we attended Sherry’s H.S. reunion

and she introduce me to Paul who in turn introduced Jo to us.

Since that time we have met up in Tucson Az. where they live and also they came for a week to our home in NVA and we toured the DC area!

They took us all over Tucson – Sedona – and Az. in a three-day trip ending up at their home in Tucson.

We get together at their reunion in Smethport Pa.

Paul and Jo Peterson – Tucson Az.

Cindy Sherry Dottie

Dottie I knew first some 45 years ago – she and Jim are some of our oldest friends

These three together – many – many good times –

We watched their kids grow up – we vacationed together and Dottie is from Eldred where I grew up.

All the good times we have had together – singing – WINE – the three of them!

Sherry and Jimmy

I have known Jimmy before Sherry and I was married – some 45 years ago.

Jim and I played softball together in the mid to late ’70s.

He also grew up in Eldred Pa.

We worked together at the American Olean Tile Company and I attended their wedding.

Today – we all are best friends with Buck and Cindy – they knew them from before we knew them.

When we get together it is Karaoke – games – fun and laughter and Golfing – beaching!

Much as you see in this picture on Sunset Beach.

Dottie and Jim Brown – Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Steve and Diane

Our newest friends – our neighbors in Cameron Woods Community – Ocean Isle Beach – N.C.

Although we have been friends for the least amount of time – we have already introduced them

to Buck and Cindy and Dottie and Jim.

We walk together in the mornings – watch sports at Chubby Budda –

Have dinner out and have taken them to Fat Harolds in NMB.

Spent time at the beach and at each other’s homes as they are here part-time in the winter.

We also have one thing in common – they are from WNY and have a cottage on Rushford Lake.

They know Olean and Portville and the golf courses back there.

Many of the places to eat and are BILLS fans and BONAS fans.

So we have a lot in common!

Daine and Steve Zimmerman – from Rushford Lake – WNY and Cameron Woods – OIB, N.C.

Sherry Papa Pam ( PJ) Bobby

My oldest true friend – going back to the first grade – 66 years ago!

We played sports – sleepouts – running the streets after curfew –

drinking buddies ( some legal – most not)

Gone through marriages – divorces and new marriages.

Vacationed together – he is the godfather to my first son.

Today – Pam and Bob – we have reconnected through our class reunion some 15 years ago.

We have met up at different locations – they stayed with us in NVA.

They have stayed with us in OIB and Cameron Woods – Pam has gone with Sherry –

for a girl’s retreat in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

We now are golfing together as they have taken it up.

They now are RVING it during the Winter months.

Bob and Pam(PJ) Goodman – from Exter N.H.

PAPA’S WORLD – livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Thanks for reading – MY BLOG: “WE HAVE FRIENDS IN ALL PLACES ”

All the friends we have together – we are truly BLESSED!!!

Papa’s World – birthday – 72 years – growing old and young walking on the beach.

/ Tom / Leave a comment
One of my favorite pass times since we moved to NMB – morning walks on the beach!
Sherry told me this was my day – being my birthday – and I said I wanted to go for a early morning walk – on the beach.

Usually – we do not walk this early – but I am a early riser – 5:00 am. each and every morning!

I have been that way my entire life – but I also go to bed early – by 8:30 pm.

I react to what my body wants – if I go past that feeling of wanting to sleep – then I am awake for hours!

But – with that being said – my body automatically awakes the same time every morning!

And then – without proper sleep – I feel lousy all day!

A good nights sleep – waking up – writing my blog – getting dressed and then we walk out to this!

Wide open beach – low tide – gray – white clouds – blue skies and warm sun!

My kind of day!

Papa – checking his phone – walking on my birthday – life is good – I am blessed.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS

MY SITE: PAPA’S WORLD

MY BLOG:

livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

SHERRY: CERTIFIED HEALTH COACH

SHERRY SITE: http://www.sf.juiceplus.com CONTACT EMAIL: ssherrylynn49@aol.com

PAPA’S WORLD livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – Living life to the plus – one day at a time – blessed that I can!

/ Tom / Leave a comment
Another in the series of my year in review blogs – 2020.

Well – where do I start – I have lived another year – in most cases – I wouldn’t be here!

2020 has been a very strange year – but – here I am – living through it!

For those that do not know – seven years ago I had a heart attack!

Not your normal one if there is such a thing –

but they called it a “WIDOW MAKERS” one.

I ended up with FOUR BY PASSES!

and walked out of the hospital 52 hours after surgery!

We have grand children – and I am blessed to see a picture such as this!

So – a year in review of 2020 – it is scary – frustrating – wonderful – satisfying –

nerve wracking – joyful – nail biting – and any other adjective you can throw in there!

But – here we are on another adventure – after selling our house during a pandemic – living our lives one day at a time!

You never know as I can attest – just what the day before you can bring!

Now – we are building a new home near Ocean Isles Beach – N.C.

And being careful – wearing our masks when we are close to people and inside!

I see no sane reason to refuse to do that because it infringes on your liberties!

Come on you folks – who protest this – it is a common being nice sort of thing!

We old folks – well we have been around and wish to continue to be around –

so just wear them – it will not hurt you – and it may save me from covid19!

There – that is my take on the pandemic!

It is indeed a strange year – one of challenges but joy when you see your family!

ZOOM is now a big part of that – staying in touch with virtual meetings –

church and religion – shopping and home delivery!

And the times you spend with friends after quarantine!

We stay safe so we can enjoy friends – getting tested – being careful –

2020 has brought many strange things into our lives –

Who could imagine every day walking the sands and surf of the beach!

2020 – with all its quirks – and I am living to see it!

So – you see – I count my days as blessings – no matter what comes before me.

Yep – happens to me – but who cares!

In this past year – we have become more and more dependent on each other.

We have become closer to family if that is at all possible.

2020 has taught me things –

2020 has in a way – been a comfort for me in that we are once again

on a adventure – every day – planning – looking – exploring!

The sun rises with the one you love!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

FAMILY MEETS FRIENDS!

It is a blessing for me to be alive – sharing each day – together – one day at a time!

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LIVING LIFE ONE DAY AT A TIME . BLOG

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LOL

Papas World – everything is going great – blessed.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

Do you ever make plans – start them

and nothing seems to go the way you want them?

Well – just the opposite is happening to us!

First – we thought about listing the house –

The stock market crashed – 35 % down for us.

But – here where we live – the housing market kept going up!

We were walking in the right direction – upward!

After the housing market crashed in 2008 – we lost a lot of equity.

Now – after we called in a friend who lists houses

We were surprised to find we were almost back!

We had options – we could wait it out – The Pandemic –

and see if the market stays strong through the November Election

Or catch the wave now and SELL!

We are both SEVEN plus years into retirement –

And LOOKING for a adventure.

WE LISTED and leading up to that – for three weeks –

WE GOT RID OF STUFF!

No alarm clocks needed – just wake up and go to it!

We listed at noon on a Saturday – first showing 7pm. same day.

I mowed the lawn – 90 some degrees outside – then a gentle rain –

Grass deep green – flowers blooming – trees lush –

Sun came out – everything falling into place!

First offer Sunday morning

but five more showings scheduled that day – our friend said to wait –

even though the offer was more than we expected –

She had increased the listing from her previous quote

It was going great and our stress was gone!

Our plan is to stay with our kids family

enjoying the little ones and the older ones.

THEN – another offer and three more showings scheduled.

By 7PM. we had showed the house six times with three offers

All above the listing price!

EVERYTHING WAS ABOVE OUR EXPECTATIONS!

The offer we accepted Sunday night – just 24 hours plus from listing

Was above the listing price by $10,000.00 – CASH!

No strings attached except a termite inspection!

Have never seen any termites – and they will buy all our furniture

we do not want!

Plus – settlement in three weeks!

We have been blessed –

We had lost money on the house and almost made up the whole amount!

everything has gotten better with each passing day.

We are almost done packing up and moving items to storage

We have sold almost 95 % of our furnishings –

and we are happy and ready to start our new lives!

And with that – my little buddy and I –

went together and got our HAIRCUT!!!

EVERYTHING IS GOING GREAT – BLESSED!

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papa’s World – friends – laughter – life – blessed.

/ Tom / Leave a comment

They say – you can count your friends on one hand – true friends

then you are blessed!

They also say – know not to discuss politics – religion –

but to make memories – laugh – hug – shake hands –

For true friends are rare

Keep them close – cherish them – love them

Friends can and should be for life.

Stories are told – memories are kept –

pictures cherished

life is living and living is life.

Yes – through the years – you stay in contact –

once neighbors – now apart by hundreds of miles

Yet – Happy hour Friday nights

Hours together again

FRIENDS LAUGHTER LIFE BLESSED

Thanks for reading Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY

ALWAYS FRIENDS ALWAYS LAUGHTER ALWAYS BLESSED

MY SITE: livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World ” RIGHT – GO RIGHT – GO RIGHT” !!!

/ Tom / Leave a comment

It all happened so fast – Ella was sleeping in the back!

It had been raining since we left Savannah Ga.

Our exit for Rte. 4 was here – to Orlando

We were getting off of 95! Thank goodness –

Those people are crazy zig zagging in and out!

Sherry was driving and I was watching the map quest –

Everyone was going fast regardless of the rain –

But we had stayed in the right lane and about 10 MPH

under the speed limit and our turn was next.

She eased over into the turn lane

There was a big pick up truck in front of us

We could not see beyond him!

All of a sudden his brake lights came on –

Sherry slammed on the brakes

we were not going that fast

we started to slide on the wet pavement

Then there was a boom and I watched as pieces

of his front end started flying out!

He had slammed into the car in front of him –

and we were sliding –

I yelled – ” RIGHT – RIGHT – GO TO THE RIGHT”!

And Sherry did- cutting the wheel –

We slid to the right into the grass

and came to a stop.

We had missed the rear corner of the truck bed

by a matter of feet and inches!

Thank God – it was over in seconds

When he had hit the back end of a Toyota Avalon

He had also gone to his right

Leaving us no way of going around him

So – by going right -we were now facing the side of the highway

and his back end was 4 or 5 feet from

our rear door!

We were very fortunate- it all could of ended right there!

That is as close as you can get!

Thinking back on it – she told me all she could hear is me saying

“RIGHT – GO RIGHT – GO RIGHT “!

And she swung it that way.

Thank you for reading Papa’s World

We made it

And we are blessed

Papa’s World

WHERE FRIENDS MEET THE FAMILY!

livinglifedoingitmyway.blog

Papas World – Social Media

/ Tom / Leave a comment

I have some criteria that I follow when posting on Facebook.

We are constantly bombarded by WHAT IS WRONG on the media today.

Negative vibes – where are the good things to be written about?

Taylor Bode Cassidy
school canceled
a day with the grand kids

So – I decided a long time ago – I would share smiles –

Good thoughts – Family – Friends and day to day happenings.

Also a way to document my life –

To put it all down in journal type writings.

I try to stay away from politics – as I have friends from all sides.

Sometimes that is very hard to accomplish

But – I try –

You see – my life is in the later stages

I want the kids to read this after I am gone

I want them to know who I am

what I did and how I feel.

I hope I conveyed these thoughts through my blogs

I am happy with my life

And today I hope I brought us a little bit closer

SMILE – LAUGH – GOOD THOUGHTS –

You are only here a short time in the scope of all things.

Thank you for reading Papas World

where friends meet the family

Have a blessed New Year

Tom and Sherry

Wishing you a Happy New Year

my blog site

livinglifedoingitmyway.blog